Homeless Utahns receive direct help at Pioneer Park

Comments

Irony Guy; Most homeless people are not "drug-dependent." that's a
stereotypical misconception. What individuals and families experiencing
homelessness need is rapid re-housing, consistent medical care and follow-up,
and jobs that pay a living wage, and food security. You are correct that it is
much less expensive to provide these basic human needs than to incarcerate and
instituionalize people.

As a formerly homeless person who now
advocates for homeless people, I can attest that these basic needs are crucial
in improving our communities by improving the lives of those in need.

J WilkesVice-ChairFourth Street ClinicConsumer Advisory
Board

JWilkesMurray, UT

Sept. 17, 2013 1:46 a.m.

Most of "these"people" are not drug dependent or "in need of
long-term medical care." As a formerly homeless person who is now a fierce
advocate for homeless health care and works personally with homeless people on a
regular basis, I can inform you that your stereotype is a complete
misconception, Iron Guy.

What individuals and families experiencing
homelessness need is employment that pays a living wage, consistent health care,
and affordable housing. They also need your compassion and understanding, i.e.
to be treated like human beings.

If you would really like to help
rather than simply criticize and marginalize, donate your time, money or goods
to the service providers participating in HOST and other outreach programs. Tha
t will help create posotive change in people's lives.

J Wilkes,
Vice-Chair, Fourth Street Clinic Consumer Advisory Board.

Irony GuyBountiful, Utah

Aug. 22, 2013 10:25 a.m.

Most of these people are drug-dependent and need long-term medical care. But
since Reagan, we just let them die in the streets. I say it would be a lot less
expensive and a lot more compassionate to move them off the crime-infested
street into care centers and rehabilitate them.